At last Vienna hits top of the charts as our favourite No 2

THE 1980s hit song Vienna was today hailed as the nation’s favourite record never to hit the No 1 spot.

The Ultravox single triumphed in a national poll by Radio 2 and the Official Charts Company and was named an honorary chart-topper.

It spent four consecutive weeks at No 2 in 1981, being held off the top place by Shaddup You Face by USborn Australian Joe Dolce.

The track will feature in a countdown of the 40 best No 2 records of all time to be broadcast from 2pm today.

The Ultravox song’s triumph left The Pogues and Kirsty MacColl’s 1987 single Fairytale Of New York as the all-time No 2 of the No 2s.

That Christmas hit was originally held in check by the Pet Shop Boys’ cover of Elvis Presley’s Always On My Mind.

The poll of Radio 2 listeners was launched to celebrate 60 years of the singles charts.

DJ Tony Blackburn will play the songs in his three-hour show The Nation’s Favourite No 2 Single.

He was among a panel of experts – including Radio 2’s Ken Bruce and Janice Long, Radio 1’s Annie Nightingale, Official Charts Company managing director Martin Talbot and 6 Music’s Steve Lamacq – who compiled a shortlist from 941 No 2 singles.

We are extremely pleased and very humbled to have been given this honorary No 1, especially knowing the outstanding records which were also in the running – Strawberry Fields, Hound Dog and Wonderwall to name just a few

Ultravox frontman Midge Ure

Ultravox frontman Midge Ure said: “We are extremely pleased and very humbled to have been given this honorary No 1, especially knowing the outstanding records which were also in the running – Strawberry Fields, Hound Dog and Wonderwall to name just a few.

“A huge thanks to everyone who took the time and effort to vote for Vienna. It has restored our faith in the idea that the public will always recognise the good in music, and that this song has proved this.”

Radio 2’s head of music Jeff Smith said: “Vienna is a brilliant track; a true classic. It was up against hits by some of the world’s biggest acts: We Are The Champions by Queen, Rocket Man by Elton John and Rolling In The Deep, by Adele. The countdown is packed with some amazing songs.”